A court is set to hold a probable cause hearing on Tuesday to determine if Tyler Robinson should face trial for the alleged murder of Charlie Kirk. Robinson appeared in court last December in Provo, Utah.
The accused, Tyler Robinson, allegedly shot and killed Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, during a rally last fall. The prosecution is pushing for the death penalty against Robinson, who is 23 years old. District Judge Tony Graf Jr. will oversee the court proceedings, which are planned to start at 10 a.m. local time in Provo’s courthouse.
The hearing will be broadcasted live by Salt Lake City TV channel KUTV. Robinson’s attorneys have opposed this coverage, arguing it threatens Robinson’s right to a fair trial.
Kirk’s Death Details
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot on September 10, 2025, at a rally held at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The rally marked the start of his American Comeback Tour. About 3,000 attendees were present when Kirk was shot. Police reported that video footage captured Robinson, then living in Washington County, Utah, moving around the campus.
Robinson allegedly mentioned retrieving his rifle in communications with his then-roommate, who was also his romantic partner. Investigators found a Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, the day following Kirk’s death. Prosecutors claim Robinson confessed to the killing in a note to his roommate and other interactions.
A relative turned Robinson over to the police, telling them Robinson had either confessed or hinted he was the shooter.
Prosecution’s Case and Legal Proceedings
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and six additional serious offenses, including witness tampering. He has not yet entered a plea. Robinson’s legal team argued against video recordings of the hearing, worrying it could bias potential jurors.
The prosecution is expected to rely on aggravating circumstances to justify the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. Evidence suggests Robinson’s motive was political. Bullet casings found at the scene bore anti-fascist messages like “Hey Facist! CATCH!” [sic], reinforcing this argument.
Utah law considers the potential endangerment of thousands at the rally an important factor. The sniper’s bullet that killed Kirk was fired from a rooftop, about 150 yards away from where Kirk stood. Defense attorneys argue that the single shot, which hit its target, did not pose a risk to the crowd.
Last month, hundreds of rally attendees filed requests with the state for victim benefits, seeking mental health and trauma support.